Current tv is a LG 42". What I would like to do is have a feed from an outside wireless camera to the tv, yet still be able to use the tv to watch programs.

Is this possible? If so, any recommendations as to equipment and setup?

How do you view it now?
You might be able to cast it from a phone app.

I'd get a Roku wireless camera and install a Roku stick on the TV and use the Roku app to view the camera. The stick will run via HDMI port so you'd just have to change your source to go from TV to camera.

I'd probably set up a RaspberryPi or other SBC to take the video feed from the camera and output it to the TV on one of the HDMI interfaces, e.g. using the TV as the monitor for the Pi. A basic Pi might need a video "hat" to interface with the camera, but probably not if the camera is WiFi with an embedded web server.

This is probably overkill, I'm sure there are more economical approaches. Maybe not a suitable approach for someone who doesn't know Linux, or isn't eager to learn it.

Switching between the camera and the TV programming feed is merely selecting a different input with the remote. If your TV has PIP (picture in picture) capability, you might not even have to do that.

Some smart TVs have a web browser included, or that can be installed as an "add-on/extension." If so, you should be able to point it directly at the camera and not have to install additional equipment.

At the same time? Your TV would have to be picture-in-picture capable.

Otherwise, does your TV have web browser app? Assuming the TV and camera are on the same network, just point the browser to the camera.

Good questions that are helping me clarify how I want the set-up.

The tv is a smart tv but I keep it dumb by not connecting it to the internet. Personal preference for privacy.

What I would like is a wireless feed from the camera only without any web/internet connection. Also, no picture in picture - somehow need to be able to change from camera view to tv view with ease.

Maybe one of these would work?
(Sorry, I can't copy the link with the tablet I'm on)

Go on Amazon and look at:

Mirabox Wireless HDMI Transmitter and Receiver Extender 1x4-1080P@60Hz 200m(656Ft) 5.8GHz Wireless Audio Video Extender Kit with IR and HDMI Loop-Out for TV,DSLR Camera,Projector,DVR,Laptop,PS5,Switch

A minipc would accomplish this. I can’t find it now, but I bought one for $180 off amazon that included Win 11 Pro and Ubuntu. The PC connects to your network, runs your browser or whatever software you use to view the camera, and you use your TV as a monitor by connecting the PC’s HDMI output to an empty HDMI input on your TV.

A really expensive solution, but I’m throwing it in here for completeness.

Ubiquiti + AppleTV4k. The Ubiquiti Protect app is available on Apple TV, so you can flip to that to see doorbell or other camera feeds.

Of course, this requires Ubiquiti cameras, a Dream Machine or Cloudkey for local management, and the AppleTV. I already had the Apple TV4k for HomeKit and TV stuff, and I already used Ubiquiti Wi-Fi access points and had. Cloudkey, so it wasn’t as big of a step here. I picked up the Ubiquiti doorbell on a Christmas sale.

It sounds like the mini PC option is the best option for me and my level of connectivity experience (low) as that's how I already use the tv - find something on the PC then hook up to the tv with HDMI.

I'll start searching for the mini-PC portion of this exercise, anyone have suggestions on reliable, weatherproof, high definition cameras?

Do you want the cameras wired, solar or battery powered?

Didn't think about that...

Battery or solar would be best.

How far will the camera be from the smart tv ?

Your OP said an outdoor wireless camera, singular. A subsequent post says cameras, plural.

How many cameras and what are you wanting to do with them? Just want to see what’s going on somewhere with one camera is one thing. 24/7 surveillance with recording is another.

Where are you wanting to install the camera/cameras?

By "cameras" I meant the entire family of such products. However, I am only needing one camera. The purpose is so that my mother can watch the activity at the bird bath.

The bird bath is not where she can see from her chair. She's 93 and isn't able to stand at the kitchen window to watch and there is no place that I can move the bird bath that will put it in view from her window.

Distance from the tv will be 100'-120' and, if it makes a difference, the signal will be going through two walls.

The camera will be installed on the outer frame of the back deck.

Relocate the bird bath or put in a second one at the window.

I went through this 6 years ago.

The problem you have with cameras is
.
A. Interference
B. Lighting



Placing the bird bath at the window alleviates both of yhose

Awesome use!

How’s the WiFi connection to your phone out there?

Assuming your internet connection is at least 50mbps, you can use https://www.speedtest.net/ to see if your WiFi there is good enough for a 4k camera. 20mbps is about the minimum for 30fps 4k video using H.265 compression while 35mbps is about the minimum for H.264 compression. 1080p would be about 1/4 of those.

Lightning is only a potential problem for the camera if it’s wireless.

I don’t have any suggestions for a wireless camera, but there’s enough information now that others should be able to make workable suggestions. I’m about to hit the road, but I will check back tonight.

Ten years ago Harbor freight offered a hard wired camera that plugs in to my smart tv.

I use it to confirm that the garage doors are closed.
( Instead of running up and down two flights of stairs)

It works great and switch's from Cam to TV with the remote control.

They came with 120' of three wire cable.

Unfortunately, my stores no longer offer these.

Just a follow up about connecting your TV to your LAN. You can do this and still retain reasonable security against outsiders seeing your TV's traffic by configuring your router's "firewall" to block the IP address assigned to the TV. So the TV's network traffic will stay on your LAN and not be able to be routed to the Internet. This means that some of the "smart" features on the TV (like streaming YouTube) will not work as the vendor claims, but that you will be able to see and access other devices on your LAN.